Hi,

I'm going to be a new mom in two weeks. What are things that I should be mentally prepared about? I've heard stories from my friends about waking up in the middle of the night to check on the baby to spending sleepless nights. All of this is making me nervous. Can anyone help me out regarding this?

Jessie

I never woke up to check on any of mine (although you do wake up and panic a little the first time they sleep through, but that's natural!). They wake you up enough without your brain telling you to wake up .
Completely sleepless nights are very very rare, you will get a few hours and if you can function on around 5-6 hours sleep then you'll be fine. You might only sleep in hourly/2 hourly bursts, but you will sleep.
As this is your first you can take full advantage of the "sleep when baby sleeps" advise that people give you. So if little one falls asleep from 10am - midday then you can do the same to catch up.
It's amazing how quick you adapt to interrupted sleep.

_________________

I absoultely second the advice already given. You will feel pretty exhausted and will rarely get a full night's sleep for the first few months at least. IGNORE ALL CHORES, get someone else to do them for you at least for the first 6 weeks or so until you get into some sort of routine with the baby. Whenever baby sleeps, you sleep too! Either that, or you'll be a walking zombie most of the time. Take full advantage of friends and family that come round to visit the new addition. Get them to help out around the house, do the shopping etc. and all the little things that would mean making your life easier.

_________________

Hiya & congrats on your impending birth

I agree with the advice already given. You will manage & as it's your first you get to sleep when baby sleeps! You will end up having broken sleep, for the first few weeks at least. How long it carries on all depends on the child as each one is different. My 1st & 3rd boys slept through from 5 weeks old, but my middle boy didn't sleep through until 8 months, which was a bit of a shock after my first born was so good! Try & get some meals made up & frozen in advance so you won't have to spend time cooking meals when you could be resting. Accept any help offered & don't be afraid to tell people when you do & don't want visitors. It's a very tiring time & lots of people will want to visit but they will understand if you give them times they can & can't come round. You need your rest & so does little one!

It's a lovely experience & although it's tiring just try to enjoy it because they grow soooo fast!

Good luck for the birth

_________________

cant add much more so just wanted to say good luck and dw too much x

_________________